The Big Clean 2016 set to be launched

Councillor Richard Farnell and the Clean and Green Team

The Big Clean 2016, a clean-up operation to make areas cleaner, greener and safer, is set to be launched.

Over the coming months, overgrowth will be trimmed back, areas will be cleared of dumped rubbish and town centres will be given a deep clean to create clean and tidy areas.

Once the campaign has got the borough cleaner and greener, the council says it will be working hard to keep it that way, meaning it intends to be tough on those who ruin it for everyone else.

Council leader, Councillor Richard Farnell said: “The borough is in for an incredible transformation that will truly make it shine. This campaign will make a real difference to residents by creating a cleaner, greener and safer borough.

“We also want to reward residents who take pride in where they live. Environmental Enforcement Officers will be handing out £10 vouchers for Bowlee Garden Centre to litter champions – members of the public seen picking up a piece of litter on the street and putting it in a bin or residents known to regularly get involved in community litter picks.”

The clean-up campaign will make a difference in five different ways:

• Special machines will be used to remove graffiti and chewing gum and keep the town centre clean.
• Teams will be out and about removing fly-tipping, litter and emptying bins.
• Enforcement Officers will be out and about encouraging dog owners to pick up after their pets. Dog owners whose dogs are caught fouling will be given an on the spot fine of £75.
• Green spaces on arterial routes in and out of the borough will be trimmed, cleared and planted with new, improved floral displays.
• Parks, gardens and other green spaces will be trimmed, cleared of rubbish and planted with new floral displays.